Emergency braking alert system

Abstract

An emergency braking alert system for providing a strobing visual indication of rapid deceleration of a vehicle traveling above a pre-determined minimum speed includes a microcontroller operationally coupled to the braking system and the speedometer of a vehicle. The microcontroller is further operationally coupled to a strobing light for activating the strobing light when rapid deceleration from a high speed is detected. In an embodiment, a deflection member is coupled to the vehicle adjacent the strobing light to prevent temporary blinding of nearby persons.

I claim:  
     
       1. An emergency braking alert system comprising: 
       a vehicle having a braking system and a speedometer;  
       a microcontroller coupled to said vehicle, said microcontroller being operationally coupled to said braking system for monitoring use of said braking system for rapidly decelerating said vehicle;  
       said microcontroller further being operationally coupled to said speedometer of said vehicle for monitoring a speed of said vehicle;  
       a strobing light operationally coupled to said microcontroller, said microcontroller activating said strobing light when said braking system rapidly decelerates said vehicle and said vehicle speed is above a pre-determined minimum speed when said braking system is initially employed;  
       said vehicle including a brake light, said strobing light being positioned adjacent said brake light; and  
       a deflection member coupled to said vehicle adjacent to said strobing light, said deflection member being positioned above said strobing light such that light radiating from said strobing light is directed substantially downwardly whereby said deflection member is adapted for preventing said strobing light from shining directly in eye of a person in a vicinity proximate said strobing light.  
     
     
       2. The emergency braking alert system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       said braking system of said vehicle having a pedal member;  
       a pressure sensor coupled to said pedal member for measuring a pressure level urging said pedal member such that said braking system is activated; and  
       said microcontroller being coupled to said pressure sensor such that said microcontroller monitors use of said braking system.  
     
     
       3. An emergency braking alert system comprising: 
       a vehicle having a braking system and a speedometer;  
       a microcontroller coupled to said vehicle, said microcontroller being operationally coupled to said braking system for monitoring use of said braking system for rapidly decelerating said vehicle;  
       said microcontroller further being operationally coupled to said speedometer of said vehicle for monitoring a speed of said vehicle;  
       a strobing light operationally coupled to said microcontroller, said microcontroller activating said strobing light when said braking system rapidly decelerates said vehicle and said vehicle speed is above a pre-determined minimum speed when said braking system is initially employed;  
       said vehicle including a brake light positioned in a brake light opening in said vehicle such that an outer face of said brake light covers said brake light opening, said outer face of said brake light having a strobe light opening, said strobing light being positioned in said strobe light opening whereby said strobing light is inset in said outer face of said brake light; and  
       a deflection member coupled to said vehicle over an upper portion of said strobe light opening, said deflection member being positioned adjacent to said strobing light such that light radiating from said strobing light is directed substantially downwardly whereby said deflection member is adapted for preventing said strobing light from shining directly in eye of a person in a vicinity proximate said strobing light.  
     
     
       4. The emergency braking alert system of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
       said braking system of said vehicle having a pedal member;  
       a pressure sensor coupled to said pedal member for measuring a pressure level urging said pedal member such that said braking system is activated; and  
       said microcontroller being coupled to said pressure sensor such that said microcontroller monitors use of said braking system.  
     
     
       5. An emergency breaking alert system comprising: 
       a vehicle having a braking system and a speedometer;  
       a microcontroller coupled to said vehicle, said microcontroller being operationally coupled to said braking system for monitoring use of said braking system for rapidly decelerating said vehicle;  
       said microcontroller further being operationally coupled to said speedometer of said vehicle for monitoring a speed of said vehicle;  
       a strobing light operationally coupled to said microcontroller, said microcontroller activating said strobing light when said braking system rapidly decelerates said vehicle and said vehicle speed is above a pre-determined minimum speed when said braking system is initially employed;  
       said vehicle including a brake light positioned in a brake light opening in said vehicle such that an outer face of said brake light covers said brake light opening, said outer face of said brake light having a strobe light opening, said strobing light being positioned in said strobe light opening whereby said strobing light is inset in said outer face of said brake light;  
       a deflection member coupled to said vehicle over an upper portion of said strobe light opening, said deflection member being positioned adjacent to said strobing light such that light radiating from said strobing light is directed substantially downwardly whereby said deflection member is adapted for preventing said strobing light from shining directly in eye of a person in a vicinity proximate said strobing light;  
       said braking system of said vehicle having a pedal member;  
       a pressure sensor coupled to said pedal member for measuring a pressure level urging said pedal member such that said braking system is activated; and  
       said microcontroller being coupled to said pressure sensor such that said microcontroller monitors use of said braking system.